was here in my abodeto take some pictures for a South African magazine April 2011 issue of "Garden&Home"

The focus of the article is on "re- invent"

and how to use something in a "new" way..

Over sized chairs upholstered with vintage German grain bags were used, cushions made from original French la Poste mailbags, and original French documents (circ 1800)displayed in antique hand blown French domes.

I enjoy to share what I love - all the above and also old French monogrammed linen and bibelots.Most is found in Europe and I visit small villages in the French country side, to find and bring back to fill my Brocante Armoirs..

colette@lecapfoods.com

After the very talented people left I picked up my little digital Canon

and took some pic's of my own.

just random images of what I like today..

for tomorrow the vignettes may change again.

Now:..

previously:..

Now:

accents of black and white to echo the floor

Thank you to my friend Jurita

who sent these Aloes from their farm.

I could bring the outside in.

There were enough to fill some baskets in a passage as well.

Aloes can actually survive without water displayed in a basket like this for about two months! After that they can still be transplanted and will grow with little water needed. the drier the soil, the better.

Aloe~SucculantThis genus is native to AFRICA and is common in SouthAfrica's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighboring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula and the islands of Africa.

Aloe has been well known for centuries for its healing properties. Both oral intake and topical dressings have been documented to facilitate healing of any kind of skin wound, burn, or scald . Situations to try it on include blisters, insect bites, rashes, sores, herpes, urticaria, athlete's foot, fungus, conjunctivitis, allergic reactions, and dry skin. The raw plant is best, but commercial preparations can also be used.

Once a year each plant display a single orange flower

We are going through a heat wave at the moment.

A lot of time is spent in the Orangerie

which opens to the pool directly outside.

When all the doors open up, it is an extension of the veranda where we enjoy most meals in summertime

it becomes a drop off zone for pool towels, books,balls and even the dogs prefer to lie here and nap

on the cool white marble and black slate floor.

I have a weakness for these old oversize chairs..

"as is" is perfect for me

a fun hairdo..some dried dodder ~ a plant that grows in the river

even if I plant only one tree..

it will always be a olive tree...

and then a fig...a lemon treeand another olive tree

outside

Looking forward to see the photographs that was taken, and will share once it has been published.

Henrique also took some pictures of favorite armoirs and bits here and there-

Dear Colette,I was, um, wondering if we could trade houses. That'd be great! Or, if you like, you can simply decorate my house and I will come back when you have finished. In the meantime I will be in your conservatory.

Dear Colette, It was my privilege. I enjoyed every minute. Thanks for being an inspiration to all, and living your dream. You have true grace and style, which translates so beautifully in your home. I could spend hours admiring all your treasures. Seems there is something with a history, and memory in every inch. Look forward to many more visits! Pictures are on there way.XX

Oh Colette your orangerie is beautiful! So many beautiful elements. I'm feeling very inspired! The aloe in the baskets is calling to me!Congratulations on the magazine article. I hope you'll keep us posted on when it will come out? Vanna

What a truly magical room! I can't wait to see the Garden and Home article. I hope you will show us more of your home over time. I'm sure every room is as beautiful as this one.x SharonPS I haven't forgotten the Iced Tea recipe - I will send it later today.

Brilliant post Colette! Beautiful pictures, love the "Hairstyle" of the 'Lady'!***I do like aloes and tried different varieties for several years - here and there - to have them at our place, but never any success, unfortunately! Given up for now...xxxkarin

What an honour Colette!! I'm so very pleased for you.You have the most amazing collection of beautiful furniture and objects. I was so inspired to see those suculents just sitting in a flat bowl that I have gone straight out and created a similar effect in a low terracotta dish with small pebbles in the bottom.beautiful post xx

Love, love, love this! I can see why they wanted to do a magazine article - simply (and I mean that) gorgeous...in fact, I'm having my bags packed as I type. You'll like me, really you will. I'm *very* easy to get along with, I'll put everything back where I find it when I leave a room and...I cook! Oh yes...and I have a small dog...but he's smart and funny - you'll like him, too.

Just teasing, of course...(unless you say the word and then...I'll be on the next flight!) Felicitations on the article! You have a new follower in Aix en Provence.

I just discovered your lovely blog. I'm just new into blogging & have just finished off my own blog on fashion & interior design.http://scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com/I had a lot of fun putting it together maybe you would like to check it out if you have a spare minute.xMelissah

No, Colette, I am your newest follower ! As you said on my blog "I am so happy to have found you." Kindred spirits here. Beautiful post, & I love the cloches with vines, so creative. I am the jewelry designer with the giveaway at Art by Karena, who commented just above me. This is just SO much fun, isn't it?xx'sMarsha

Congrats on your upcoming feature Colette- so exciting and well deserved. I may have to make the journey to visit you some day and see your amazing home for myself. ;) Your 'orangerie' is the perfect inspiration for my sunroom that's awaiting furniture and new life. Your settee would be perfect in my space. Ah,,,thanks for sharing.xo~T

What you are showing here,is perfect for my little outdoor space as well.Just what I am looking for,as we are planning to finnish our outdoor loggia with a fireplace etc under our veranda here.Too bad you can´t get too much stuff like this in Norway...but I´ll make it somehow:))Thanks for the inspiration,this was a wonderful post and I am your new follower for sure:))))Tove,Norway:)

Congratulations on the magazine article. It is very well deserved. Your home is always beautiful and inspiring. L'Orangerie is wonderful. Your posts are always exquisite. I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Lovely lovely pictures. The first one reminded me of my grandma's old eiderdown. They lived in a town in the Little Karoo. When we were young and visited them during the school holidays, their housekeeper would serve us black coffee and hertzoggies whilst we all got under their eiderdown until it was time to get up for breakfast.

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About Me

Like so many francophiles out there, I have also fallen under the spell of all things French. The lifestyle, the markets, French Brocantes... I love the hunt for antique monogrammed linen,chanvre, metis,hemp and lace, religious iconography, vieux carte postale or whatever intrigue to bring back and share at my brocante events.
Living in Stellenbosch winelands in the very South of Africa,we combine our colonial roots with French finds. These are my passions.This is my world.